REWM 2500 Rangeland Plant Identification
This course addresses the plants and rangelands of the United States with emphasis on those found in the Western U.S. The course emphasizes the importance of range plants and their relationship with various rangeland ecosystems. Students study different rangeland climates, soils, and vegetation. Students identify rangeland plants by their common names, scientific names, and family or tribe. Prerequisite: Completion of
REWM 2000. (1 lect., 2 lab)
Major Topics
- Common rangeland ecosystems
- Plant communities and ecologies of the following rangeland types:
- Tall grass Prairie
- North Mixed Prairie
- Southern Mixed Prairie, Short grass
- Northwest bunch grass, Palouse
- Annual Grasslands
- Desert Grasslands
- Desert Shrublands
- Salt Desert Shrubland
- Mountain Forest
- Alpine meadows and riparian zones
- Plants of foothill woodlands
- Plants of sagebrush types
- Southwestern desert
- Southeastern US forest
Outcomes
In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:
1. Describe the climate, soils, and vegetation of different range ecosystems in the Western U.S.
2. Explain the typical uses of range ecosystems in the Western U.S.
3. Identify, describe, and compare the basic ecological relations of the range systems.
4. Identify and label range plants from mounted specimens in each ecosystem by the following criteria: common name, scientific name, and family or tribe name.
5. Identify and describe for each range plant the following: forage value of the plant; the ecosystem or habitat the plant occurs, and how the plant responds to various uses of the community.
Other Information
Any information placed here must be adhered to by all instructors:
For textbook information, contact the Agriculture/Range Management Instructor.